Brewer Cuts Down the Nets at the Susky 5 Slama-Jama

Hank Veggian
Aug 12
11 min read

Updated: Aug 14

For full photo galleries click visit the Susky 5 Slama-Jama Photo Gallery Page.

Updated AOY Standings visit the AOY page

Jordan Lovejoy wade fishes one of the many diverse areas on the Susquehanna River.

The 2025 Kayak Adventure Series presented by GoPro in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania lived up to its slam dunk title. Here’s how it came to be….

When it comes to the naming of Kayak Adventure Series events, Drew Gregory is the Director of Fun. He is also a detail-oriented man (in case you haven’t noticed, he’s that way when it comes to fishing, too). There is a recipe to the process: first, add a pinch of the place name, then make it sound epic, memorable or familiar – or all three. This may involve a good pun (see “Paris Reelfest”) or an allusion to a festival (i.e. add “-palooza”).

And keep the ingredients upbeat. It’s fishing after all.

It was a cold December day when the call from Drew Gregory appeared on my car screen. “Hey man,” he said, “I wanted to run an idea past you.” It was creative consulting time, so I took the next exit off the F.D.R. Drive, parked and opened my notebook. Drew wasn’t sure about the exact wording for what would become the Susky 5 Slama-Jama. Should it have a hyphen? Will people understand the reference to an old basketball team that become a media darling and national sensation?

“Well, those fish do jump,” I replied.

He was convinced. I was in New York City when I hung up the phone, and I could hear Drew typing all the way from Ohio. Here is the result:

“Due to the power of the fish and the face-paced action that the Susky offers, we've dubbed this event the "Susky 5 Slama-Jama" in a play on words with the popular 1980s college basketball team that was nicknamed the Phi Slama Jama. The team was led by future NBA players and hall of famers, Clyde "the glide" Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon, as they took the country by storm. They were known for their slam dunking and explosive, fast-breaking style of play. It really is a style of play comparable to the Susquehanna River's faced-paced action and powerful smallmouth. The Phi Slama Jama may have started their best 5 players on the hardwoods, similarly you'll need to display your best 5 smallmouth to ‘cut down the nets’ and take this title.”

I can’t take any credit for the that sports-themed beauty. It was all Drew Gregory.

Now, we don’t have a kayak fishing Hall of Fame (hopefully one day we will), but let’s stretch that analogy a bit further. better yet, let’s just run with it. The Smallmouth Bass of Central Pennsylvania showed up to play and so did Kayak Adventure Series anglers. Some stats: when it was over, a limit of more than 92” got you in the top 10 on the Realtree Fishing Real Time Leaderboard. 90” would get you in the top 15. There were 8 Smallmouth Bass of 20” or longer posted in the top 20, where the average length hovered just under 18” per fish. 57 anglers landed 80” or better; that’s nearly half the field of 114 competitors. And speaking of Hall of Famers, Jody Queen won Big Bass Bling trophy for the GoPro Big Bass with a 20.75” mega Smallie!

In all there were 207 total entries (163 unique individuals) in the KAS event and well over 200 unique including the joint event with the Native Big Bass Power Hour that also joined the weekend. In KAS alone more than 900 bass were scored. Hundreds more were caught (and released) that didn't need scoring. Those numbers don’t lie – the Susky lived up to its reputation as a premier kayak tournament fishery. Beginning with the Opening Ceremonies, and extending through seminars at the Bass U Brunch to the awards at Brewski’s, the Susky 5 Slama-Jama ran the court.

The sixth stop of the Kayak Adventure Series season also blew open the Nocqua Angler of the Year points race, added some new twists to the Farwide Team of the Year Race, plus set up Broodstock II as the season’s climactic final open tournament set to be held in Franklin, PA September 12-13. Here is how it went down on one of the most scenic playing fields, or courts (if you will), that kayak fishing has to offer - Susquehanna River.

Opening Ceremonies presented by LureNet.com

Before the anglers are officially in the event the gathered on Thursday evening for Opening Ceremonies which is a fancy word for check-in, late registration and mostly just a time of food, drinks and fellowship. The KAS format doesn't allow fishing on Friday morning so it frees the anglers up to relax and enjoy Thursday evening...and well into the night if they choose. Tournament HQ was Brewskis Coffee & Bar and from the turnout and the smiles on the anglers faces this was a much needed time to relax and share stories or theories from their practice.

Bass U Brunch

Before the anglers would take the Designed to help anglers learn new fishing and tournament strategies, the Bass U Brunch is held on Friday morning prior to every “Afternoon Sesh.” The brunch in Bloomsburg, PA featured seminars by Kristine Fischer and Gene Jensen at Brewskis Coffee & Bar. 50 anglers showed up and learned a lot from these two seasoned pros.

The KastKing Individual Angler Division

As Drew Gregory noted during Friday's live recap, "Afternoon Sesh" anglers try to find one or two good fish that will make it in their final limit. And while Friday’s Afternoon Sesh warm-ups always set the stage for Saturday’s game-day finale, some of the biggest movers turned out to be anglers who struggled on Friday.

The top seventeen anglers would earn checks in this division (KAS pays top 15%). That roster of winners began with seventeenth place finisher Guillermo Gonzalez, who finished with 89.25” (for more about Gonzalez, see the next section). Patrick Sprankle and Philip Backus bested Gonzalez by one-quarter inch and one-half inch, respectively, meaning the top 14 anglers all averaged more than 18” per fish. Quinton Echols, Rus Snyders, Kris Kirkpatrick and Don Schrader earned places 14 through 11.

The top ten began with Ewing Minor (see more about him in the next section, too) and continued with Brad Crum, Ryan Mentzer, Eric Hawks and Joe McElroy rounded out spots 9 through 6. A few of them had a turn on the Kayak Kushion hot seat during the awards, starting with John Dalton.

Dalton finished fourth with 93.5”, and the KAS drone captured him measuring a fish (see the live awards for that footage). McElroy and Kyle Maddix each had 93.25” to come up just shy of fourth. Jordan Welliver finally surpassed Dalton by one-quarter inch to place third overall. Kristine Fischer then had a turn on the Kayak Kushion hot seat, displacing Welliver by 2” with her limit of 95.75”.

Fischer told the crowd: “I’m pretty happy with how I spent the day. I caught a lot of fish on topwater, just as I like to. I covered a lot of water, dragging my kayak around, but had a great time.”

New York angler Joshua Brewer took the stage at that point, and Drew Gregory asked him if he had “any inkling this would happen.” Brewer replied:

“I showed up and fished. That’s basically what I did, and got into them. That’s my motto: “Just fish.”

Brewer continued “Last night, I picked the launch where I would fish. I had never fished there before. I fished another place for the Friday [Afternoon Sesh]. I did halfway decent, but there wasn’t the fish there that I needed. So I picked a new place, went there and fished it and found what they were hitting on.”

Brewer clearly had a so so first half of the game (Fri) but made the right adjustments at half-time and came out with intensity and an entirely new game plan as any good team should after they reasses at half-time. Those decisions helped him earn the title and cut down the nets at the Susky 5 Slama-Jama with the final whole numbers score between the final two anglers looking very similar to a basketball game - 96.50 to 95.75.

Brewer won $7500 cash for his win and maybe when we come back we'll have to have a ceremonial fishing net that the winner gets to cut down as Brewer certainly netted the biggest at this event.

Click here for complete Kastking Individual Event standings from the Susky 5 Slama-Jama.

On-the-water photos

More photos from awards below

Torqeedo Team Division

Two-man teams with the best 5 bass from each angler make up winning totals in this division. There were 40 teams total (80 anglers) and just like the Individual Division this would be a tight finish.

Brad Crum and Kyle Maddix form Team Triple F. They closed Friday’s Afternoon Sesh with a massive bag totaling 181”. Team J/G, consisting of Jordan Welliver and Guillermo Gonzalez, held second place on Friday with 180”. Clearly, the team division would be decide don Saturday by angler who averaged more than 91” per team member.

After not appearing among the top five teams on Friday, Team Minor League Fischers (comprised of Ewing Minor and Kristine Fischer) would make their run at the top of the Torqeedo Team division on Saturday. While the top six teams all averaged over 90” per team member, the top team would ultimately need an average of 94” per angler to win first place.

Fifth place went to Team BassnCreek, consisting of John Dlaton and Josh Sharp, who took home $250 apiece. Fourth place went to Team Smallmouth of the South (Mike and Eric Hawks), who won $400 each.

Third place was won by Team J/G, who culled a bit to reach 183” on Saturday. Jordan Welliver told the crowd: “It was a fun time, I’m looking forward to fishing next week (With KTS) as well, and I enjoy fishing at home whenever big tournaments come here.” Gonzalez added “We hardly talked at all. He and I are great friends, but we just do our own thing.”

Second place was won by Team Triple F from Tennessee. Maddix and Crum culled up an additional 4.75” in their aggregate score from Friday, finishing with 185.75” to win $1500 apiece. Kyle Maddix told the crowd: “He picked one side of the river and we just went after it.” Their key bait was a “plopper in the shade.”

Team Minor League Fischers took the top spot with a big limit of 188.” Kristine Fischer told the crowd that she and Minor had reserved the dates since the Susky 5 Slama-Jama tournament was first announced in 2024. “We fish very similar, and we don’t fish near each other…so we fished different places, fished how we like and had a great time.”

Minor added “I am glad you have the format the way you do, because I had the worst day I’ve ever had on this river yesterday [Friday]. I only caught four bass. I was kind of shocked...but I was able to bounce back today.” Minor added “I caught everything on topwater, from a little bug up to a big Choppo.”

For their win, the anglers earned $2500 each. The win was the second in the Kayak Adventure Series Torqeedo Team Division for Kristine Fischer. She was part of the winning team on the Wisconsin River in 2024.

Click here for complete Torqeedo team Division standings from Susky 5 Slama-Jama.

Z-Man Micro Finesse “Micro-Bag” Tournament

It is hard to catch a good limit of small bass. In fact, only a handful of anglers have ever managed to catch five bass under 7” per fish, and even fewer averaged 6” or less. Until Susky 5 Slama Jama, only one angler has won the Z-Man Micro-Bag division with a limit of five bass measuring under 30”. That angler is Glenda Celestino, who has performed that feat twice.

With his win at Susky 5 Slama-Jama, Doug Biddle joins Celestino as the only other angler to win the Micro-Bag Division with an average of under 6” per bass. and in doing so, Biddle also set a new record, averaging 5.5” per fish for a total limit length of 27.50.”

Biddle told the crowd that he “was sight fishing” with a “little Impulse Lures jig.” When asked if targeting small bass was his game plan, he replied “all my spots were taken, so I just floated around and fished, and caught some small ones.”

For his victory, Biddle earned the Z-Man micro-belt, the trophy made by Finman Fishing and a payday of $325! Not to bad for a $25 buy in.

Click here for complete Z-Man Micro-Bag Division standings from Susky 5 Slama-Jama.

Top High School Angler presented by FinMan Fishing

The High School Division is for any angler 18 and under (down to 10) and is always a great way to highlight the youth who are sure to be the next big winners in the overall event.

Owen Miller won a Yak Attack gift card and a trophy for taking third place. Hailing from Cumberland, Maryland, Miller told the crowd that he caught his fish using a 6” “scented jerk shad.” Second place went to Ohio angler Josiah Bihary, who landed 84.25” for his limit. he told the crowd “yesterday I caught a limit, and today I came out here to enjoy the Susky and all its beauty, catch some giant Smallmouth and have a ton of fun.”

Minnesota angler Tristan Lee added to the family dynasty. Tristan’s father Elvis won second place at the South Boston Bass-A-Thon, and his little brother Oliver won the Finman Fishing high school event there, too, as well as in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

"Day one was pretty tough,” said Tristan. “In the latter half of the day, I kind of figured it out. I went and look for fish on structure and figured them out.” His key bait was a bluegill swimbait.

Omnia Fishing Tackle for Trash Prize

Kayak Adventure Series anglers who clean up trash and haul it out for proper disposal become eligible for an Omnia Fishing gift card. The Omnia Tackle for Trash prize was won this weekend by Clayton Miller, who pulled a wading boot and old iphone (among other things) out of the river. Way to set an example Clayton!

Day Two Dark Horse presented by Darkhorse Tackle

The Day Two Dark Horse prize presented by Dark Horse Tackle is for the angler who moves up farthest in the standings from the Afternoon Sesh to Saturday’s conclusion. Josh Simms finished with 88.75” to win the prize after only having one fish on day 1. Dark Horse Tackle attended the event, and tripled the prize as a special bonus for the winning angler, adding a six month subscription to the prize purse.

GoPro Big Bass Bling Award

Jody Queen finished 24^th overall, but he took home Go Pro Big Bass honors with a 20.75”. He told KAS: “I caught that fish in shallow, moving water with a Z-Man jackhammer. It was tipped with a Z-Man Diesel Minnow, in a Bloody Mary Sunday color. The fish were bunching up in turbulent, fast moving water.” Jody received a GoPro Hero 13 Black for winning the Big Bass of the event.

Autism Anglers Charity Raffle

Raffle kayak provided by Native Watercraft to raises money for autism awareness and to help introduce autistic children to the sport of fishing. Robert Jolley of Hope Hull, AL, donated $100 to get 25 raffle tickets and his generous contribution was rewarded with the Falcon 11!

Acknowledgments

Special Thanks to John Oast, Bloomsburg, PA and the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau for hosting the Susky 5 Slama Jama.

Thanks also to Ciocca Toyota of Williamsport, PA who brought a great looking Tundra for the anglers and fans to check out at the awards.

Additional thanks to Vinny, Aaron and Marvin of the Native Big Bass Power Hour, Aaron and Josh from PA B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak, Ryan from Keystone Kayak Bass Series and TJ from PA Slay Nation Kayak Series for working so well together on this event. We couldn't have pulled it all off without a shared passion for the sport and communication. If any of those groups are putting on an event, definitely join in! Also shout out to Mike and Gene of the Team Kayak Series for working so well together and holding their event conveniently for the anglers who wanted to stick around and fish their event the following weekend. Get signed up!

Looking Ahead

The 2025 Kayak Adventure Series will conclude with our Open finale we call Broodstock II in the beautiful Upper Allegheny Region of Western Pennsylvania. Sign up for what is shaping up to be a spectacular finish to the year where we'll crown an Angler of the Year and Team of The Year! Angler of the Year receives a $10,000 prize package with the majority of that being this beautiful Modern Buggy Trailer valued at approximately $9000.